Man, 22, Faces Battery Charge After 2-hour Standoff With Police

April 29, 1999|By Anthony Burke Boylan.

CRYSTAL LAKE — A Crystal Lake man accused of beating his former girlfriend and barricading himself in his home for more than two hours Tuesday was released from police custody Wednesday after posting a $2,500 bond, according to the McHenry County state's attorney's office.

Robert Irwin, 22, of the 1000 block of Stonehedge Court was charged with domestic battery, but no charges were filed relating to his standoff with police.

Crystal Lake police had discussed filing obstruction charges against Irwin's attorney, who had advised Irwin by phone to stay in the house and not talk to police. No charges were filed Wednesday against the attorney, although Crystal Lake police said they had not dismissed the idea.

The situation started about noon after a 19-year-old Union woman escaped from Irwin's home. She went to a neighbor's and called police, saying Irwin had allegedly beaten, kicked and choked her and that he was armed. Police said the woman was bloodied and swollen. The woman, who is not being identified, was treated at Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock and released.

A SWAT team, including sharpshooters, surrounded the two-story brick home and stopped traffic for several blocks.